Power generating hydroconveyor

ABSTRACT

Hydroconveyors are described which utilize magnetic levitation or magnetic suspension to support a collection of conveyor elements. The hydroconveyors are located above or partially within a flowstream such as a river. Additional versions of the hydroconveyors are described which include velocity increasing waterways located upstream of an end of the hydroconveyor. The various hydroconveyors can be used in conjunction with electrical generators to provide electrical power.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is a divisional application and claims priorityupon U.S. application Ser. No. 13/897,500 filed on May 20, 2013 whichclaims priority upon U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/650,121filed on May 22, 2012.

FIELD

The present subject matter relates to systems for generating power fromflowing water.

BACKGROUND

A vast source of potential energy is presently not being captured fromthousands of flowing streams, tidal currents, tidal streams and oceanand lake waves.

Many suggestions have been made through the years as to various methodsfor capturing energy from flowing waters, including complicated, complexnetworks of coffer dams, concentrating valves, storage basins andunderwater hydroplanes. In the majority of these propositions, costs areprohibitively high.

However, as far as is known, no previous strategy has provided a meansfor efficiently powering an electrical generator by use of a systemcapable of extracting the energy from flowing water. Furthermore, withregard to previous attempts at such energy extraction, such systems havenot yet been developed to such a level that the systems satisfactorilymeet the demand for relatively large amounts of electrical power frommodern society.

SUMMARY

The difficulties and drawbacks associated with previously known systemsare addressed in the present system for a hydroconveyor system.

In one aspect, the present subject matter provides a hydroconveyorsystem adapted for placement in a flowstream. The hydroconveyor systemcomprises a longitudinal frame including a first distal end and a seconddistal end. The hydroconveyor system also comprises a track extendingalong at least a portion of the length of the frame between the firstend and the second end of the frame. The track defines a continuous andclosed loop. The hydroconveyor system also comprises a plurality ofconveyor elements movably disposed and retained in the track. At least aportion of the plurality of conveyor elements include outwardlyextending members for engaging the flowstream. The hydroconveyor alsocomprises means for magnetically supporting the plurality of conveyorelements with regard to the track.

In another aspect, the present subject matter provides a hydroconveyorsystem adapted for placement in a flowstream. The hydroconveyor systemcomprises a longitudinal frame including a first distal end and a seconddistal end. The hydroconveyor system also comprises a longitudinal trackextending along at least a portion of the length of the frame betweenthe first end and the second end of the frame. The track defines acontinuous and closed loop. The hydroconveyor system also comprises aplurality of conveyor elements movably disposed and retained in thetrack. At least a portion of the plurality of conveyor elements includeoutwardly extending members for engaging the flowstream. Thehydroconveyor system also comprises a velocity increasing structuredisposed upstream from the frame and proximate one of the frame ends.The velocity increasing structure includes an entrance, an exit, andconverging sidewalls extending between the entrance and the exit whichresult in a velocity increase of the flowstream.

In yet another aspect, the present subject matter provides a system forproviding electrical power from a flowstream. The system comprises ahydroconveyor including (i) a frame having a first end and a second end,(ii) a track extending along at least a portion of the length of theframe and between the first and second ends, the track defining acontinuous and closed loop, (iii) a plurality of conveyor elementsmovably disposed and retained in the track, wherein at least a portionof the conveyor elements include outwardly extending members, and (iv)at least one rotatable member in engagement with the plurality ofconveyor elements such that as the conveyor elements move linearly alongthe track, the at least one rotatable member is rotated. The system alsocomprises at least one electrical generator having a rotary input inengagement with the at least one rotatable member of the hydroconveyor.Upon rotation of the rotary input, electrical power is provided at anoutput of the generator.

As will be realized, the subject matter described herein is capable ofother and different embodiments and its several details are capable ofmodifications in various respects, all without departing from theclaimed subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and description are tobe regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of a river, a transition region, and anarrowed waterway in accordance with the present subject matter.

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross sectional view of the river in FIG. 1Ataken across line 1B-1B.

FIG. 1C is a schematic cross sectional view of the waterway depicted inFIG. 1A taken across line 1C-1C.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a hydroconveyor located in thenarrowed waterway of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the waterway of FIG. 1 illustratingthe effect of the narrowed waterway upon the velocity of flowing water.

FIG. 4A is a schematic side elevational view of a hydroconveyor engaginga flowstream in accordance with the present subject matter.

FIG. 4B is a schematic top view of several conveyor elements that may beused in the hydroconveyor depicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a schematic front cross sectional view illustrating oneversion of an assembly for supporting a conveyor or a collection ofconveyor elements within a track of the hydroconveyor depicted in FIG.4A.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the hydroconveyordepicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view of another hydroconveyor inaccordance with the present subject matter.

FIG. 7A is a detailed schematic partial perspective view of an endregion of the hydroconveyor depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective view of a typical conveyor elementused in a hydroconveyor of the present subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic top view of several conveyor elements usedin a hydroconveyor of the present subject matter.

FIG. 9 is a detailed schematic partial perspective view of an end regionof the hydroconveyor shown in FIG. 8 in accordance with the presentsubject matter.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic elevational views of conveyor elementsin two different positions in a hydroconveyor according to the presentsubject matter.

FIG. 11 is a schematic front elevational view of a conveyor elementmagnetically supported in a track in accordance with the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 12A is a schematic end view of a hydroconveyor positioned within awaterway in accordance with the present subject matter.

FIGS. 12B-12C are schematic plan views of pairs of conveyor elementsengaged to one another in accordance with the present subject matter.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of another conveyor element inaccordance with the present subject matter.

FIG. 14 is a schematic end view of the conveyor element depicted in FIG.13.

FIG. 15 is a detailed schematic partial perspective view of a rotarysupport used in a hydroconveyor in accordance with the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of the rotary support depicted in FIG.15 according to the present subject matter.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of another conveyor elementsupported in a track in a hydroconveyor according to the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a system having a declining flowpath inaccordance with the present subject matter.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of another system having a decliningflowpath in accordance with the present subject matter.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of yet another system having a decliningflowpath in accordance with the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present subject matter provides various hydroconveyor systems which,when incorporated in a flowstream such as for example flowing water,provide powered rotary outputs which can be used to efficiently driveelectrical generators or other components. In one version of thehydroconveyor systems, magnetic levitation is utilized to support aplurality of movable conveyor elements. In other versions of thehydroconveyor systems, a velocity increasing waterway is providedupstream of the hydroconveyor. In still other versions of thehydroconveyor systems, particular conveyor elements, drive trains, andcomponent configurations are utilized.

Hydroconveyors

The present subject matter provides hydroconveyor systems which areconfigured for placement above, adjacent to, and ideally at leastpartially immersed within a flowstream such as in a stream of flowingwater, for example a river. The hydroconveyor systems generally comprisea longitudinal frame and one or more tracks or track components thatextend along at least a portion of the length of the frame. The trackstypically define a continuous and closed loop or path for a collectionof moveable conveyor elements. In one version of the present subjectmatter, a track is provided which includes an upper portion, a lowerportion disposed beneath the upper portion, and two opposite endsbetween which the upper and lower track portions extend. Typically, thehydroconveyor systems also include a collection of conveyor elementswhich are moveably engaged with and/or supported within the track. Atleast a portion and typically all of the conveyor elements includeoutwardly extending members. The members are configured for contactingand thus engaging the flowstream. Typically, the members are at leastpartially immersed in the flowstream. In certain versions, the outwardlyextending members are in the form of rigid cup-shaped paddles. However,it will be appreciated that the present subject matter includes a widearray of configurations for the members. The hydroconveyors also includeone or more rotary powered outputs which can be used to power or driveother components such as for example electrical generators. Thehydroconveyors may in certain versions also include one or more (i)systems for magnetically supporting or retaining the conveyor elementswith regard to the track(s), and/or (ii) a velocity increasing structurepositioned upstream from the frame of the hydroconveyor and typicallyadjacent to a leading end of the frame. The velocity increasingstructure includes converging sidewalls that result in a velocityincrease in fluid flowing through the structure. All of these aspectsare described in greater detail herein.

Magnetic Levitation

Magnetic levitation is a process of levitating an object by exploitingmagnetic fields. More specifically, magnetic levitation overcomes thegravitational force on an object by applying a counteracting magneticfield. Either the magnetic force of repulsion or attraction can be used.In the case of magnetic attraction, the system is known as magneticsuspension. Using magnetic repulsion, the system is referred to as usingmagnetic levitation.

The present subject matter uses either magnetic suspension and/ormagnetic levitation to magnetically support a collection of conveyorelements within a track of a hydroconveyor. The magnetic support meanssupports and moveably retains a plurality of conveyor elements along oneor more tracks or track components. Although various versions of themagnetic support system are contemplated, in many embodiments, railshaving a “C” shaped cross section are utilized. Each conveyor elementincludes a rail engaging member that is sized and configured to bemoveably disposed within the hollow interior of the C-shaped rail orrails. The use of magnetic levitation in conveyor systems is generallydescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,805,761 and 5,641,054.

It will be appreciated that the present subject matter hydroconveyorscan utilize other assemblies and/or configurations for movablysupporting the plurality of conveyor elements. For example, the use ofwheels, rollers, or other rotatable members could be used to supportand/or retain the conveyor elements to the track or track portions. Inaddition, still other assemblies are contemplated such as a chain beltsystem as known in the art.

Velocity Increasing Structures

The hydroconveyors of the present subject matter may include one or morevelocity increasing structures generally disposed upstream of thehydroconveyor. The one or more structures are located upstream from aleading end of the hydroconveyor. The velocity increasing structuresgenerally include an entrance, an exit, and converging sidewallsextending between the entrance and the exit. As flowing liquid such aswater enters the structure via the entrance, the progressivelyconstricting flow channel causes the velocity of the liquid to increase.The velocity increasing structures can be incorporated with ahydroconveyor. Alternatively or in addition, a separate stand-alonevelocity increasing structure can be utilized in conjunction with ahydroconveyor.

Velocity increasing structures such as velocity increasing waterways areknown in the art such as for example as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.1,296,623; 3,807,890; 7,478,974; and 7,969,034.

Electrical Generators

The present subject matter also provides systems for producingelectrical power by use of the hydroconveyors. Generally, and as knownin the art, electrical generators include a rotary input and provideelectrical power at one or more outputs upon rotation of the input.

Electrical generators and large scale power distribution systems areknown in the art and are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,939,021; 3,983,430; 4,720,640; 7,405,501; and 8,080,902.

Representative Embodiments

Reference is now made to the accompanying figures which illustraterepresentative versions of various aspects of the present subjectmatter.

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of a river, a transition region, and anarrowed waterway in accordance with the present subject matter. FIG. 1Bis a cross sectional view of the river taken along line 1B-1B in FIG.1A. FIG. 1C is a cross sectional view of the waterway taken along line1C-1C in FIG. 1A. Specifically, a river 1 is depicted. The river isgenerally defined by a pair of opposite sides 6 and 8 and a bottom 10generally extending between the sides. A narrowed waterway 50 isprovided along a portion of the river 1. The waterway 50 extends betweena waterway entrance 52 and a waterway exit 54 located downstream fromthe entrance 52. The waterway is generally defined by a pair of oppositesides 56 and 58 and a bottom 60 generally extending between the sides.As depicted in FIG. 1A, the width of the waterway 50 is less than thewidth of the river 1. More specifically, the present subject matterinvolves the waterway 50 to exhibit a flow cross sectional area A₂depicted in FIG. 1C which is less than the flow cross sectional area A₁of the river shown in FIG. 1B taken upstream of the waterway 50. Thus,the smaller flow cross sectional area of A₂ of the waterway 50 willtypically involve a width dimension that is less than the widthassociated with the river upstream. However, the present subject matterincludes waterways having widths greater than widths of the river takenupstream of the waterway, so long as the flow cross sectional area A₂ ofthe waterway is less than the flow cross sectional area A₁ of the rivertaken upstream of the waterway. Referring further to FIG. 1A, generallya transition region 30 is provided extending between the river 1 and thewaterway 50. The transition region 30 generally includes a pair ofconverging sides 36 and 38. As will be appreciated, the converging sides36, 38 extend between the sides 6, 8 of the river 1; and the sides 56,58 of the waterway 50.

As a result of the decrease in flow cross sectional area as water flowsfrom the river 1 to the narrowed waterway 50, i.e. A₁>A₂, the velocityof the water increases. Thus, referring to FIG. 1A, the velocity ofwater flowing in the river 1 generally depicted as arrow V₁ may forexample be 4 knots. As a result of the water flowing through thewaterway 50 having a smaller flow cross sectional area, the velocity ofthe water is approximately 50 knots for example, as shown by arrow V₂.

The narrowed waterway 50 can be a naturally occurring waterway, anentirely artificial or man-made waterway, or a naturally occurringwaterway which is modified. Modification may include increasing ordecreasing its width, and/or increasing or decreasing its depth so thatits flow cross sectional area, i.e. A₂, is such so as to produce adesired velocity in the waterway such as V₂. Although not wishing to belimited to any particular velocity, for many applications of the presentsubject matter hydroconveyors, it is contemplated that a velocity ofwater flowing through the waterway and around or generally under ahydroconveyor as described in greater detail herein, will be from about5 knots to about 75 knots, and more typically from about 10 knots toabout 60 knots.

It is also contemplated that one or more ancillary waterways or channelscan be provided which bypass or circumvent the narrowed waterway 50. Anexample of such a channel is shown in FIG. 1A as channel 70. Optionalupper and lower locks 72 and 74 respectively, can be provided to controlaccess to the channel 70, flow of water within the channel 70, andheight or amount of water within the channel 70.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a hydroconveyor 100 located in thenarrowed waterway 50 of FIG. 1A. In this configuration, the presentsubject matter provides a hydroconveyor 100, described in greater detailherein, having an upstream end 110 and a downstream end 112. Thehydroconveyor 100 is positioned generally above but in partial immersionin the water flowing within the waterway 50. The hydroconveyor 100 caninclude one or more rotary outputs 120 which are selectively engagedwith one or more electrical generators 200. It will be appreciated thatthe present subject matter may include one or more generators 200 alongone or both sides or lateral regions of the hydroconveyor 100, denotedas m. And, the subject matter includes one or more generators 200 alongthe length or portion of the length of the hydroconveyor 100, denoted asn. Thus, a collection of generators 200 or rather a matrix of m×ngenerators can be powered by the hydroconveyor 100. In this or otherconfigurations, one or more supplemental electrical generators 210 mayalso be provided. Typically such generators 210 will be locateddownstream of the hydroconveyor 100. These generators may be used toprovide electrical or other power to certain components of thehydroconveyor as described in greater detail herein.

FIG. 3 is a detailed schematic plan view of the waterway 50 of FIG. 1Aillustrating the effect of the narrowed waterway upon the velocity ofthe flowing water. Referring again to FIGS. 1B and 1C. It will beappreciated that the flow cross sectional area A₂ of the waterway 50 istypically significantly less than the flow cross sectional area A₁ ofthe river 1. The velocity V₂ of water in the narrowed waterway 50 can becalculated by equation (I):

A ₁ V ₁ =A ₂ V ₂  (I)

Thus, if the flow cross sectional areas of the river 1 and waterway 50are known, i.e. A, and A₂ respectively, and if the velocity of water inthe river 1 taken at the location of A₁ is known or measured, thenequation (I) enables determination of the velocity V₂ of water in thewaterway 50 taken at the location of A₂. The location of A₁ may forexample be taken at line 1B-1B shown in FIG. 3. And, the location of A₂may for example be taken at line 1C-1C shown in FIG. 3.

Therefore, depending upon the configuration and parameters of a powergenerating system as described in greater detail herein, one can readilydesign a waterway to provide a flow velocity as desired, depending uponthe dimensions, size, and/or shape of the flow cross sectional area ofthe waterway and the dimensions, size, and/or shape of the flow crosssectional area of the river.

FIG. 4A is a schematic side elevational view of a hydroconveyor 100 inaccordance with the present subject matter. The hydroconveyor 100comprises a plurality of rotary supports 130 which are in operableengagement with a conveyor 140 supported and retained in a track ortrack assembly 150. The conveyor 140 includes a collection of conveyorelements 142 schematically depicted in FIG. 4B. The conveyor elements142 are engaged or otherwise coupled to one another by one or moreconveyor connectors 144. One or more of the conveyor elements 142 mayinclude or be affixed to outwardly extending members 160, as describedin greater detail herein. The conveyor 140 is engaged with and supportedat least in part by the track 150 extending along the length of thehydroconveyor 100. A variety of assemblies and techniques can be usedfor movably supporting and/or retaining the conveyor 140 by use of thetrack 150. In one version, magnetic support provisions are used whichare schematically shown in FIG. 4C. In this version, a pair of tracks150 are provided along opposite lateral sides of the conveyor 140.Magnetic repulsion and/or magnetic suspension techniques are used tomaintain a magnetic spacing distance M between the conveyor 140 and thetrack 150. In the version of the hydroconveyor 100 depicted in FIG. 4A,the track 150 includes an upper track portion 150 a extending betweenopposite ends 110, 112; and a lower track portion 150 b disposed underor beneath the upper portion 150 a and typically, also extending betweenthe ends 110, 112. The conveyor 140 is movably supported and/or retainedby the track 150 such that the conveyor 140 can be linearly displacedalong the length or a length portion of the hydroconveyor 100.Preferably, the conveyor 140 and associated track 150 are in the form ofa closed, continuous loop. However, it will be understood that thepresent subject matter includes numerous other track configurations.

As noted, the hydroconveyor 100 also comprises one or more rotarysupports 130. The rotary supports 130 are in engagement with theconveyor 140 such that as the conveyor 140 is linearly displaced, suchmovement is transferred to the rotary supports 130 thus resulting inrotation of the supports 130. One or more geared assemblies or otherpower transmitting assemblies can be utilized between the conveyor 140and the rotary supports 130.

Referring further to FIG. 4A, the hydroconveyor 100 is positioned abovethe waterway 50 and specifically at least partially above a watersurface 51 of water flowing in the waterway 50. The height or distanceof the hydroconveyor 100 above the water surface 51 is such that atleast a portion of the outwardly extending members 160 extending fromthe conveyor 140 supported by the lower track portion 150 b, is immersedin the water. In most embodiments, the hydroconveyor 100 is stationaryexcept for its moving components. The hydroconveyor 100 can be supportedalong the sides of the waterway 50, by supports extending from thebottom 60 of the waterway 50, and/or by flotation members (not shown)floating within the waterway 50. It is also contemplated that thehydroconveyor 100 can be supported along the river 1 and/or thetransition region 30. As will be appreciated, flowing water in thewaterway 50 causes linear displacement of the conveyor 140, which inturn results in rotary motion of one or more of the rotary supports 130.The rotary supports 130 can be in engagement with the previously notedrotary outputs 120 for powering electrical generators or othercomponents.

FIG. 5 is a schematic partial plan view of the hydroconveyor 100depicted in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 further illustrates powering of one or moregenerators 200 by rotary outputs 120 extending between the hydroconveyor100 and the generators 200. FIG. 5 also depicts a possible configurationof the collection of outwardly extending members 160 relative to theconveyor elements 142. That is, the members 160 could be separated fromone another by one, two or more elements 142. The present subject matteralso includes a configuration in which each conveyor element 142includes one or more outwardly extending members 160.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view of another hydroconveyor 100in accordance with the present subject matter. Specifically, FIG. 6illustrates the hydroconveyor 100 having a longitudinal frame includinga first end 110 and a second opposite end 112. The hydroconveyor 100also has a track 150 extending between the ends 110, 112. Thehydroconveyor 100 also includes a plurality of conveyor elements whichform a conveyor 140 which is movably disposed and retained in the track150. The conveyor 140 or more specifically, at least a portion of theconveyor elements include outwardly extending members 160. Thehydroconveyor 100 is positioned relative to a flowstream such as flowingwater such that at least a portion of the outwardly extending members160 are immersed or in contact with the flowstream.

FIG. 7A is a detailed schematic partial perspective view of an endregion 112 of the hydroconveyor 100 depicted in FIG. 6. FIG. 7B is aschematic perspective view of a single conveyor element used in thehydroconveyor 100. Specifically, FIG. 7A illustrates in greater detail atypical configuration of conveyor elements 142, conveyor connectors 144,and outwardly extending members 160, which form the conveyor 140. Asshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, each conveyor element 142 can includelaterally extending engagement portions 146. The engagement portions 146are sized and shaped to be movably received within interior channelsdefined along the track 150 and as described in greater detail herein.

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic top view of several conveyor elements usedin a hydroconveyor 100 of the present subject matter. In this version,one or more gear members 132 are provided in conjunction with the rotarysupports 130. The gear members 132 extend radially outward from therotary supports 130. Gear receiving provisions 148 can be provided byadjacent edge regions of conveyor elements 142. The gear receivingprovisions 148 are sized and shaped to engage the corresponding gearmembers 132 associated with the rotary supports 130. As shown in FIG. 8,a plurality of conveyor elements 142 are supported and retained by apair of tracks 150. The previously noted engagement portions 146 can beused to support and retain the conveyor elements 142 in the tracks 150.A collection of rail supports or support members 152 can be used tomaintain the tracks 150 in a desired position or relationship.

FIG. 9 is a detailed schematic partial perspective view of the endregion 112 of the hydroconveyor 100 depicted in FIG. 8 in accordancewith the present subject matter. In this version, the outward andradially projecting gear members 132 are received and engaged within thegear receiving provisions 148 formed by adjacent conveyor elements 142.In this manner, linear movement of the conveyor elements 142 along thetrack 150, is transferred to rotary movement of the rotary support 130.Rotary displacement of the rotary support 130 is transmitted to therotary output 120.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic elevational views of conveyor elements142 in two different positions in a hydroconveyor according to thepresent subject matter. Specifically, FIG. 10A depicts a conveyorelement 142 disposed in an upper track portion 150 a shown in FIG. 4Afor example. And, FIG. 10B depicts a conveyor element 142 disposed in alower track portion 150 b shown in FIG. 4B for example. Each conveyorelement includes a pair of laterally extending engagement portions 146extending from the conveyor element 142. Although a wide array ofoutwardly extending members 160 can be utilized, the version having acurved distal tip as depicted in FIG. 6 is illustrated. Also shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, are the gear receiving provisions 148.

FIG. 11 is a schematic front elevational view of a conveyor element 142magnetically supported in a track 150 in accordance with the presentsubject matter. Specifically, the conveyor element 142 is supported andretained within a pair of tracks 150. Each engagement portion 146 isdisposed within an interior region of a track member 150. If magneticsupport provisions are utilized to support and retain the conveyorelement 142 relative to the track 150, a magnetic spacing distance M isgenerally maintained between the conveyor element 142 and interiorfacing portions of the track 150. As will be appreciated, the use ofmagnetic support provisions significantly reduce friction otherwiseoccurring between conveyor elements 142 and the rails 150. Decreasingfriction otherwise associated with linear displacement of the conveyor140 significantly increases operating efficiency of the hydroconveyor.

FIG. 12A is a schematic end view of a hydroconveyor 100 positionedwithin a waterway 50 in accordance with the present subject matter.Specifically, the hydroconveyor 100 is positioned above the surface 51of water in the waterway 50 such that at least distal end portions ofthe members 160 are immersed within the water. The hydroconveyor 100 canbe supported along the sides or lateral regions of the waterway 50 by asupport carriage 170 for example. The support carriage 170 can includelaterally extending support members 172 and/or tensioned support members174 which can be in the form of cables for example. Upon flow of waterin the waterway 50, rotary power is produced or available at rotaryoutput(s) 120.

FIGS. 12B-12C are schematic plan views of pairs of conveyor elements 142engaged to one another in accordance with the present subject matter.Specifically, these figures depict particular versions of conveyorconnectors 144. FIG. 12B depicts two conveyor elements 142 engaged toone another by a pair of flexible connectors 144 a. FIG. 12C depicts twoconveyor elements 142 engaged to one another by a pair of chain links144 b or other comparable components. The conveyor elements 142 includethe previously described engagement portions 146 and gear receivingprovisions 148.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of another conveyor element 142 inaccordance with the present subject matter. FIG. 14 is a schematic endview of the conveyor element depicted in FIG. 13. This version includesan outwardly extending member 160 having a curved distal end 162. Itwill be understood that the present matter includes a wide array ofconfigurations for the conveyor elements 142 and the members 160, and inno way is limited to the particular embodiments depicted and/ordescribed herein. The conveyor element 142 includes previously describedengagement portions 146 and gear receiving provisions 148.

FIG. 15 is a detailed schematic perspective view of a rotary support 130used in a hydroconveyor in accordance with the present subject matter.FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of the rotary support 130 depicted inFIG. 15. The rotary support 130 includes a collection of outwardlyextending radial projections or gear members 132 that engage theconveyor 140 of the hydroconveyors described herein. Any number such asfrom 2 to 40 or more gear members 132 can be used.

FIG. 17 is a schematic partial perspective view of a collection ofconveyor elements 142 used in a hydroconveyor according to the presentsubject matter. In this version, the plurality of conveyor elements 142are engaged to each other by flexible conveyor connectors 144. And, eachconveyor element 142 includes one or more rollers 154 which areconfigured to roll or slide within channels defined along the tracks150.

It is also contemplated that the present subject matter can be appliedto flowstreams of other materials besides water. For example, materialshaving densities different than that of water can be utilized. A flowingmaterial having a greater density, i.e. mass, than that of water willexhibit greater kinetic energy than a comparable amount of water flowingat the same velocity.

Additional Aspects

The present subject matter also includes configurations in whichvelocity increases resulting from elevational changes can be imparted tothe flowing material such as water prior to and/or during directing theflowing material to a hydroconveyor, a velocity increasing structure,and/or an electrical generator. For example, by selectivelyincorporating an elevational change or a downward descent in a flowpath,an increase in velocity can be imparted to a fluid flowing in suchflowpath. Thus, the present subject matter includes incorporating anelevational reduction, i.e. a decrease in the height, in a flowpath. Theelevational reduction can be defined in terms of its downward slope orgrade according to equation (II):

$\begin{matrix}\frac{{{Change}\mspace{14mu} {in}\mspace{14mu} {Elevation}},{\Delta \; Y}}{{{Linear}\mspace{14mu} {Distance}},{\Delta \; X}} & ({II})\end{matrix}$

As will be appreciated, slope is also referred to as gradient, incline(if positive), and decline (if negative).

The present subject matter includes systems in which a flowstream isdirected along a decline or in a direction resulting from a decrease inelevation. Also included are systems utilizing velocity increasingstructures positioned upstream of the declining flowpath, positioneddownstream of the declining flowpath, and positioned at any locationalong the length of the declining flowpath.

FIGS. 18-20 schematically depict several systems utilizing a decliningflowpath. For example, FIG. 18 depicts a system 300 comprising a firstflowpath portion 305 in which the direction of the flowstream is shownas “FS.” The system includes a declining flowpath 315 downstream of thefirst flowpath portion 305. The system also includes a hydroconveyor 320as described herein downstream of the declining flowpath 315. The system300 additionally comprises a velocity increasing structure 310 disposedat a location upstream of the declining flowpath 315. The grade of thedeclining flowpath 315 is measured by dividing the change in height ΔYby the linear distance ΔX of the flowpath 315. Referring further to FIG.18, if for example the change in elevation ΔY of the declining flowpath315 was 15 meters and the linear distance ΔX of the declining flowpathwas 300 meters, the grade of the declining flowpath would be 0.05 (or5%). The present subject matter includes a wide range of grades fordeclining flowpaths such as from about 0.001 to about 10, moreparticularly from 0.01 to 1, and more particularly from 0.02 to 0.5.FIG. 19 depicts a similar system 400 comprising a first flowpath portion405, a declining flowpath 415, a hydroconveyor 420, and a velocityincreasing structure 410 positioned at a location along the decliningflowpath 415. And, FIG. 20 depicts a similar system 500 comprising afirst flowpath portion 505, a declining flowpath 515, a hydroconveyor520, and a velocity increasing structure 510 positioned downstream ofthe declining flowpath. In all of these systems, it is generallybeneficial to position the hydroconveyor downstream of both thedeclining flowpath and the velocity increasing structure. However, itwill be appreciated that the present subject matter includes a varietyof different configurations. Moreover, the present subject matterincludes the use of a sequential arrangement of multiple decliningflowpaths with or without velocity increasing structures.

EXAMPLES

In accordance with the present subject matter, a large scale electricalgenerating system could be provided as follows.

A relatively wide waterway such as a river, having a width of about 1500feet and a depth of about 40 feet, with a relatively low water velocityof 4 knots is modified to include a narrowed region to thereby result ina water velocity of about 53 knots as measured in the narrowed region.Representative dimensions for the narrowed region are approximately 300feet wide by approximately 15 feet deep.

One or more of the hydroconveyors as described herein are assembled overor at least partially within the narrowed region. The outwardlyextending members of the conveyor elements of the hydroconveyor(s) arein contact with the high velocity water. As a result of immersion of theconveyor elements in the flowing water, the conveyor elements aredisplaced along their corresponding track(s). Movement of the conveyorresults in rotation of one or more rotary outputs of the hydroconveyor.

Electrical generators are engaged with the powered rotary outputs of thehydroconveyor. Thus, as a result of flow of water through the narrowedregion of the waterway, the hydroconveyor is operated to provide poweredrotation of one or more outputs which are used to drive electricalgenerators and thereby produce electrical power.

Many other benefits will no doubt become apparent from futureapplication and development of this technology.

All patents, applications, and articles noted herein are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

As described hereinabove, the present subject matter overcomes manyproblems associated with previous strategies, systems and/or devices.However, it will be appreciated that various changes in the details,materials and arrangements of components, which have been hereindescribed and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the presentsubject matter, may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the principle and scope of the claimed subject matter, asexpressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing electrical power from aflowstream, the system comprising: a hydroconveyor including (i) a framehaving a first end and a second end, (ii) a track extending along atleast a portion of the length of the frame and between the first andsecond ends, the track defining a continuous and closed loop, (iii) aplurality of conveyor elements movably disposed and retained in thetrack, wherein at least a portion of the conveyor elements includeoutwardly extending members, and (iv) at least one rotatable member inengagement with the plurality of conveyor elements such that as theconveyor elements move linearly along the track, the at least onerotatable member is rotated; and at least one electrical generatorhaving a rotary input in engagement with the at least one rotatablemember of the hydroconveyor, wherein upon rotation of the rotary input,electrical power is provided at an output of the generator.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the hydroconveyor further includes means formagnetically supporting the plurality of conveyor elements with regardto the track.
 3. The system of claim 1 further including a velocityincreasing structure disposed upstream from the frame and proximate oneof the frame ends, the structure including an entrance, an exit, andconverging sidewalls extending between the entrance and the exit whichresult in a velocity increase of the flowstream.
 4. The system of claim1 wherein the outwardly extending members for engaging the flowstreamare in the form of rigid cup-shaped paddles.
 5. The system of claim 1wherein the track includes a first track portion extending along aregion of the frame and a second track portion also extending along theregion of the frame and oriented parallel to the first track portion,the second track portion disposed beneath the first track portion. 6.The system of claim 1 further comprising: a declining flowpath upstreamof the hydroconveyor.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the grade of thedeclining flowpath is in a range of from 0.001 to 10.